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SOLE TRADER INSURANCE

Tailored insurance for sole traders and small businesses

Get cover against professional risks, client property damage, and more. Coverage starts from as low as £6.22* per month.

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Tide Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 1040067)

*Prices shown are for basic coverage. You will get your actual price once you complete a quote. Eligibility Criteria and T&Cs apply.

Tide Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 1040067)

*Prices shown are for basic coverage. You will get your actual price once you complete a quote. Eligibility Criteria and T&Cs apply.

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Why is business insurance important for a sole trader?

When you’re a sole trader, you are the business. There’s no legal line between your personal assets and your work, meaning a single mistake can put your savings or home at risk.

Business insurance protects your business from the unique risks of the sole trader industry, such as: 

  • Accidental damage on site. 

  • Professional negligence claims. 

  • Costly legal battles.

  • Stolen tools & tech. 

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Essential sole trader insurance and what it covers you for

As a sole trader, you don't need a massive corporate package. Here is the essential cover you actually need:

Employers' Liability Insurance
If you employ anyone – even a part-time assistant, an apprentice, or a temporary helper – you’re legally required to have this in the UK. Failing to have it can land you a £2,500 fine per day. If you are 100% on your own, you can skip this.
Public Liability Insurance
Covers compensation and legal fees if a member of the public (eg a client) is accidentally injured or their property is damaged as a result of your business activities. Example for sole traders: A client trips over your laptop cable at a job site and injures themselves.
Professional Indemnity Insurance
Covers legal costs and compensation if a client claims they suffered a financial loss due to a mistake or negligence in your professional service or advice. Example for sole traders: You cost your client money due to a mistake in your design.
Business Equipment Insurance
Your tech is the backbone of your business. If your laptop, smartphone, or tablet goes down, your business stops moving. This cover helps you repair or replace your essential electronics quickly, so you can stay connected to your clients and keep momentum without draining your business capital. Example for sole traders: You spill a cup of coffee over your laptop the night before a major project deadline, rendering the machine completely unusable.
Tools and Materials Insurance
If your tools are stolen from your van, or your laptop is dropped and smashed, can you work tomorrow? If the answer is no, you need this. It funds quick replacements so you don't lose momentum.

How much does sole trader insurance cost?

Your premium is calculated based on several key factors:

Your trade

The inherent risk level of your specific sole trader activities.

Level of cover

The liability limits and total value of equipment you choose to insure.

Staffing

The number of people you employ.

Location

Where your business is primarily based and operates. Get a personalised quote in minutes to find your exact cost.

Get a sole trader insurance quote

Get your sole trader insurance in just a few steps

  1. Select your policy cover(s)

  2. Tell us about your business

  3. Quote and purchase your policy

  4. Download the app to view and manage your policy

Get a sole trader insurance quote

What do I need to get sole trader insurance?

Getting a business insurance quote at Tide is simple – you just need some basic information about your business to get started.

Business details like name, address and type

Size of your team

Annual revenue

Your business’s financial background

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Useful articles for sole traders

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Sole Trader Insurance FAQs

There is no single legal minimum, but policy limits typically start at £1 million or £2 million. The amount of public liability cover you need depends entirely on your specific trade, the clients you work with, and your contract requirements. Many client contracts or trade associations will explicitly state a minimum level of coverage before you can start working with them.

While insurance isn't always a legal requirement for every self-employed professional, it is highly recommended to protect your livelihood. When you're a sole trader, there's no legal distinction between your personal assets and your business.

A single mistake, accident, or property damage claim could put your personal savings or home at risk. Business insurance gives you a vital financial safety net, helps you secure bigger contracts, and lets you work with confidence.

At Tide, we know you need to move fast, which is why you can buy your policy online or via the app in just a few minutes. As soon as your purchase is complete, your official policy documents and proof of cover are generated immediately. You can download them right away to show your clients and start your next job without delay.

We understand businesses, it's all we do

Tide is built by business owners for business owners. That’s why we’re trusted by over 2 million sole traders, freelancers, and limited companies worldwide.

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Tide | Do what you love.
Tide Platform Limited (Tide) designs and operates the Tide website and app. Tide is not a bank. Tide is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 under firm reference number 900843 for the issuing of electronic money and the provision of payment initiation services and account information services under the Payment Services Regulations 2017. Tide is also authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in relation to its credit and insurance broking activities (firm reference 718743). Tide is incorporated and registered in England and Wales with company number 09595646 and registered office at 4th Floor The Featherstone Building, 66 City Road, London, EC1Y 2AL. Tide offers bank accounts powered by ClearBank® Ltd (ClearBank) (account sort code is 04-06-05). ClearBank is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under registration number 754568. Eligible deposits with ClearBank are protected up to a total of £120,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), the UK's deposit guarantee scheme. For further information visit Home. ClearBank Ltd is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Financial Services Register number: 754568). Registered Address: ClearBank, Level 27, The Broadgate Tower, 20 Primrose Street, London, United Kingdom, EC2A 2EW. Eligible deposits held in the Tide Business Current Account (powered by ClearBank) are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (“FSCS”) subject to eligibility. All eligible deposits at the same bank are aggregated to determine the coverage level for each depositor up to £120,000, therefore if you have any other product/services with ClearBank these will be aggregated. To find out more and to check your eligibility please visit: About us . Some of Tide’s members also hold e-money accounts powered by PrePay Technologies Limited (PPT) (account sort code is 23-69-72). PPT is an electronic money institution authorised by the FCA under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 under firm reference number 900010 for the issuing of electronic money. PPT holds an amount equivalent to the money in Tide current accounts in a safeguarding account which gives members protection against PPT’ insolvency. Tide Cards may be issued by both Tide and PPT, who are licensed by Mastercard International for the issuance of cards. The issuer of your Tide card will be identified on your monthly card statement. Tide Capital Limited is an appointed representative of P1 Investment Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under firm reference number 752005 to carry out such regulated activities as are involved in the provision of Tide Investment Account. Seccl Custody Limited is the custodian of assets held in Tide Investment Account and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (firm reference number 793200) and registered in England and Wales under No. 10430958. Registered office 20 Manvers Street, Bath BA1 1JW. Tide, the Tide logo, the Swell, and Do Less Banking are trademarks and trade names of Tide Platform Limited, and may not be used or reproduced without the consent of the owner.